Her Village

She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again. What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the woman you're becoming? This week on the Her Village Podcast, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Vandana Arcot to talk about identity, ambition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. After a successful global health career spanning more than a decade an...

Reinvention is often portrayed as a dramatic before-and-after moment—a bold leap, a fresh start, a perfectly curated transformation. But what if it doesn't look like that at all? In this solo episode, Jacqueline shares what she's learning about reinvention while living it in real time. From infertility and loss to motherhood, podcasting, and building Her Village, she reflects on the many...

Something unexpected happened at the first Her Village gatherings. Women walked in nervous… and walked out feeling lighter, more connected, and reminded that they’re not alone. In this solo episode, I’m sharing reflections from our very first gatherings and why I believe women are craving real, in-person community more than ever before. We talk about: the loneliness of modern motherhood why making...

If you’ve been here for a while, you know this podcast has always been rooted in real conversations. From the very beginning, Motherhood Intended was a space for the stories behind the highlight reel—centered around infertility, family building, and the journey to motherhood. But life evolves… and so do we. In this trailer episode, I’m sharing why this podcast is shifting, what this new season loo...

What happens when the season of life that shaped your story begins to change? In this episode, I’m sharing an honest update about the evolution of Your Fertility Village, how my own infertility journey has shifted now that our family is complete, and the new vision that has been growing on my heart: Her Village . When I first started the Motherhood Intended podcast, I was still in the thick of pro...

A real day in the life of a stay-at-home mom in this season of motherhood. What does a real day actually look like in this season of motherhood? In this solo episode, Jacqueline walks you through a true day in the life — from the moment she wakes up to when the house finally goes quiet at night. Not the highlight reel. Not the optimized routine. Just the honest rhythm of life right now as a stay-a...

Infertility doesn’t just affect your body—it can quietly strain your marriage in ways no one prepares you for. In this solo episode, Jacqueline talks openly about how infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys can impact a relationship—not just during treatment, but long after you’ve successfully grown your family. She talks about the emotional survival mode couples often slip i...

This episode marks a powerful full-circle moment on Motherhood Intended . Three years ago, Alison joined the podcast to share her decision to freeze her eggs in an episode titled “Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 Maybe Babies.” At the time, she was preserving her fertility and creating options for her future — without knowing exactly where the journey would lead. Today, Alison is back to share what...

This week on Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline closes out Season 6 with a meaningful re-air of one of the earliest and most impactful episodes from Season 1: “Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 Maybe Babies.” This episode intentionally follows last week’s solo conversation about freezing your eggs and fertility timelines — and serves as a bridge into what’s coming next. In this episode, Jacqueline cha...

As we head into 2026, more women than ever are asking themselves a deeply personal and surprisingly common question: “Should I freeze my eggs?” In today’s solo episode, Jacqueline breaks down everything you need to know about egg freezing right now — including age-related success rates, how many eggs you actually need, what the process looks like, and what the emotional side of delayed motherhood...

This week on Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline opens the episode with an honest reflection on why this season of the podcast has looked different — and why that difference has actually been a gift. In this heartfelt intro, Jacqueline shares what life has looked like behind the scenes, including:  • balancing toddlerhood, therapies, and packed family schedules  • navigating a season of growth in mar...

The holidays can be magical — but if you’re trying to conceive, they can also feel incredibly heavy. Between family gatherings, triggering comments, pregnancy announcements, disrupted routines, and the emotional weight of longing for a baby, this season brings unique challenges that often go unspoken. In today’s solo episode, Jacqueline shares a supportive and practical guide for navigating the ho...

If you’ve ever stared at your lab results and thought, “Wait… is this good or bad?” — this episode is for you. Today, Jacqueline breaks down the most common (and most confusing) parts of fertility testing in simple, empowering language. From AMH and egg quality to antral follicle counts, HSGs, thyroid levels, and partner testing, you’ll walk away feeling informed, prepared, and a whole lot less al...

In this heartfelt episode, Jacqueline is joined by her husband, Josh, to talk openly about something that’s become a major part of their family’s life lately: ABA therapy. After their oldest son was diagnosed with level 1 autism and ADHD at age six, they spent months sitting with the news, learning, questioning, and honestly…trying to figure out what actually felt right for their family. Fast forw...

When motherhood takes an unexpected turn, where do you find the strength to keep going? In this emotional and powerful episode, host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Kath Hansen —a Brisbane mom of four, founder of the baby brand Bubba Cloud , and host of The Modern Mother Podcast . Kath opens up about her youngest son Odin’s rare congenital heart condition, months spent in the NICU, and the raw rea...

What if your anger toward your body isn’t something to hide — but a sign that it’s finally time to start healing? If you’ve ever felt angry at your body — for not doing what you hoped it would, for betraying your trust, or for making something as natural as motherhood feel impossibly hard — this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about the unspoken emotion so many women...

Insurance and infertility are two words that rarely bring comfort, but understanding how to navigate your coverage can change everything about your experience. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline shares her best guidance for reading your policy, asking smart questions, and knowing your rights when it comes to fertility care. She explains what “infertility coverage” really means, how...

October can be a heavy month for many mothers. It’s a time to honor the babies who never made it earthside and the women who continue to carry their memories with love and courage. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens her heart for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. She shares her story of losing her daughters Charlotte, Cecilia, and Maren, and how those experiences con...

Pregnancy comes with a lot of choices. A clear plan for information and advocacy can turn overwhelm into confidence at every step. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes Dr. Dallas Reed to unpack the essentials of prenatal genetics and decision making. You will learn when to consider carrier screening before pregnancy, how NIPT fits into first trimester care, and a simple set...

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or with more questions than answers? You're not alone.  Self-advocacy is a skill many of us weren't taught but desperately need, especially when navigating fertility challenges and motherhood. Jacqueline shares her personal experiences with infertility, pregnancy loss, and raising children with special needs, an...

You fought so hard to become a mom, but why doesn’t every moment feel magical? Parenting after infertility comes with hidden challenges that most people never talk about. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the invisible baggage many moms carry after infertility treatments, loss, NICU stays, or surrogacy. She shares her own story of bringing home her children after ye...

When your path to motherhood doesn’t go as planned, how do you rewrite the story? For Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella, that answer came through surrogacy, and a book that changed everything. In this episode of Motherhood Intended , host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Andrea, a pediatrician, mother, and author, to talk about her deeply personal experience with infertility, pregnancy loss, and ultimately...

In this vulnerable bonus episode, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of navigating infertility during a season filled with pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and growing bumps everywhere you turn. If you’ve ever felt left out, behind, or broken as the only one not pregnant in your circle, this episode is for you. With compassion and real-life insight, Jacqueline offers powerful tools...

In this episode, Jacqueline opens up about her entire journey to motherhood, from hopeful beginnings and unexpected infertility, to devastating losses, NICU stays, IVF, and eventually surrogacy. She vulnerably shares the highs, lows, and in-betweens of becoming a mom to three beautiful children, explains why there is no one “right” way to build a family, and lists multiple different family buildin...

In this deeply compassionate episode of Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of the “waiting season” during the fertility journey. Whether you’re waiting for test results, a cycle to begin, or answers that feel impossibly out of reach, Jacqueline shares her own experiences and insights to help you feel seen and supported during this often invisible and very isolating...